The Katherine Challenge
How It Started
While preparing a presentation for a workshop I was attending, the Holy Spirit revealed something to me that literally shook me to my core. I had been praying for guidance on what I needed to share and one morning while showering a video began to play in my head . Have you ever had that happen? Let me explain -
In September of 2020 my Mom, Katherine, went into the hospital. She hadn't been feeling well and the doctor wanted to run some tests and see what was going on. It didn't take long for the doctors to give us a diagnosis - she had Stage 4 cancer and, unfortunately, it was so advanced by the time it was discovered that it was too late for any treatment. Keep in mind we are in the throes of covid and, per hospital policy, only one person PER DAY could visit. I saw my Mom on Sunday and didn't see her again until the following Friday. That day Hospice was called in and someone in the family stayed with her around the clock. Sunday night was my turn and I spent the night in the room sleeping in the extra hospital bed they provided for us.
Remember that video in my head? This is what it showed me - it's Monday morning and, when I wake up, I checked on mom who, thanks to Morphine, is resting comfortably. I changed out of my jammies, brushed my teeth and sat on the edge of "my" hospital bed. It was quiet and I picked up my phone checked email, scrolled through Facebook and then started playing my favorite game - Toy Blast. I was quite good mind you at, at that point was probably on like Level 7000!! Minutes passed, or was it an hour? Honestly, I don't know. I was totally lost in blasting little colored squares with rockets and bombs. But the atmosphere in the room changed suddenly and I laid down my phone and walked over to check on my Mom only to discover she was gone. Yes GONE!!
That video playing in my head showed me that I was so caught up with my face in my phone playing a game that my Mother left this world alone. They say that sometimes people, on their deathbed, wake up just before passing. I don't know if my Mom did this or not because, although I was only ten feet away, I might as well have been a hundred miles away. Did she look around and see me and wonder why I wasn't sitting closer, holding her hand, praying over her?
Right then and there I stepped out of the shower, picked up my phone and deleted every video game and I prepared my workshop presentation on this very subject. Needing to have a "call to action" as part of the presentation I came up with the idea of The Katherine Challenge not really thinking anything would come of it. However, when I gave my presentation to the 15 or 16 ladies at the workshop, they jumped on it and all wanted to get involved. A movement they called it!
So What Is The Katherine Challenge
40 Days To Presence
By accepting the challenge you agree that for forty days you will put down your phone and spend time with your family, your friends and your Heavenly Father! No endless hours of scrolling through Facebook, watching TikTok videos or playing mindless games.
Instead of having your phone in your hand and your face in your screen, you'll be present with those around you. You'll take a walk. Read a book. Read your bible. Call a friend. Write a letter or send a card. Organize a closet. The choice is yours.
Why forty days? Because biblically it's significant. It rained on Noah and the Ark for 40 days and nights. Moses was on Mount Sinai for 40 days to receive the Law - the Ten Commandments - from God. The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years, eating manna, before entering the promised land. The Prophet Elijah walked for 40 days to reach Mount Horeb. God gave the city of Ninevah (think Jonah and the whale) 40 days to repent. Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights in the desert to prepare for His ministry and He also appeared to the disciples for 40 days after is Resurrection. There are more but you get the picture. Simply it symbolizes a period of testing, trial or probation. A time for transformation for restoration.
I Accept The Challenge - Now What?
I'm Ready!!!
How exciting - let's do this!!
Simply fill out the contact form below . Then for the next forty days, you'll receive an email reminder with words of encouragement for the day. I promise not to blow up your email inbox. Just one simple email per day for forty days.
I do hope you'll respond to the emails and share how it's going.
Thank you for helping me to honor my Mom - Katherine.
God Bless You!
